Sprinter Jessica Lewis finished fifth in the T53 100 metres at the Paralympic Games in Paris yesterday.

Lewis stopped the clock in a time of 16.83sec, 0.7sec outside her season’s best, behind Samantha Kinghorn from Great Britain, who set a new world Paralympic record of 15:64, Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland, and the Chinese pair of Gao Fang and Zhou Hongzhuan.

Drawn in lane eight, Lewis, who is a three-times gold medal-winner at the Parapan American Games, entered the race with the third-fastest time this season and she made the fastest start in the seven-woman field, before being overhauled on the race to the line.

“I’m really proud of the race,’’ Lewis told The Royal Gazette. “Obviously I didn't make the podium, but I did have a bit of a slip-up four strokes in.

“But I feel that I was able to refocus and get back into the rhythm really well. For that I’m proud of the race, definitely mixed emotions though.

“I’m really proud that I was able to execute the race after I had the little slip-up. In previous races, when I have a slip-up at the start, I kind of lose focus, so I was really proud that I was able to stay focused.

“I always have a good start, that’s what I’m really good at in a race. I guess it gets a little bit more complicated with me being much smaller than the other girls, to have that much more muscle power to help propel me forward, but I think I did a pretty good job still.

“The support has been absolutely incredible. I am so honoured to represent Bermuda and have so many amazing people in my corner, helping me to continue chasing this amazing dream. Just to have family is really special.”

Bermuda has been represented at every Paralympics Games since 1996 but the wait for an elusive first medal continues.

Ann Lindroth, the Bermuda Paralympic Association president, has expressed her delight at having two athletes pushing close to the podium in Paris.

“The Bermuda Paralympic Association is thrilled that we have such high level para-athlete that they are able to finish so close to a podium finish,” Lindroth said.

“Fourth in Boccia and fifth in wheelchair track at the Paralympic level is a reason to celebrate Yushae’s and Jessica’s achievements.”

Lewis is back in action today, when she heads into the T53 400m. The 31-year-old is going into the race on the back of some great preparation, which has given her confidence.

In the eight-woman race, she faces the same opponents she squared off against in the 100m final, with Debrunner the record-holder for the distance.

“Obviously 400m is not my strongest event, but I’ve been doing some really great 400s in training,’’ she said. “I am anxious to see how that compares to the race setting.”